Some health care workers urge people to keep masking
Some health care workers are urging people to keep their masks on in indoor public spaces like grocery stores and offices, even after Washington state lifts the requirement on March 12. Santiago Neme, an infectious disease doctor, said he hopes people keep masking up, and that he himself plans to do so for the foreseeable future. “It’s not my risk; it’s the risk of my community,” he explained. “We have a pretty significant amount of folks who, although they’ve been vaccinated and boosted, they’re still immunocompromised, and their response to the vaccine is not as robust.” Continue reading at KUOW. (Megan Farmer)
Local police departments start Catalytic Converter Task Force to curb sharp rise in thefts
A quick way for crooks to make some fast cash, catalytic converter thefts have skyrocketed over the last few years and now a coalition of law enforcement agencies are teaming up to create a task force aimed at curbing the problem. Police departments in Bellevue, Bothell, Medina, Clyde Hill, Redmond, Issaquah, Mercer Island, Kirkland, and the King County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday afternoon the Catalytic Converter Task Force at a press conference. So far, they report having made 11 arrests. Continue reading at KOMO News.
WA capital gains tax ruled unconstitutional by trial judge
Washington state Democrats have hit their first major legal roadblock in their efforts to tax the rich. A Douglas County Superior Court judge ruled Tuesday that the state’s new capital-gains tax violates the state constitution. The tax, which applies to large profits from selling stocks and bonds, was approved by the Legislature last year and took effect in January. In his ruling Friday, Judge Brian Huber said the tax is unconstitutional because it doesn’t apply to everyone uniformly. Continue reading at Crosscut.
Associated Press
Washington Congresswoman DelBene tests positive for COVID-19
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Judge overturns Washington state’s new capital gains tax
Auburn Reporter
Opinion: Is it the right time to lift indoor mask mandates?
Bellingham Herald
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Capital Press
Washington judge strikes down capital gains tax
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Columbian
Former Washington House Speaker Robert ‘Bob’ Schaefer dies at 91
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New York Times
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Jerome Powell says rates are headed higher, even as Ukraine poses uncertainty.
Russian Oil Not Worth the Trouble, Some Traders Conclude
Biden says Putin ‘badly miscalculated’ in invading Ukraine.
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Olympian
Controversial capital gains tax struck down by Douglas County Superior Court judge
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Peninsula Daily News
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Washington, Oregon, California to lift mask mandates March 12
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Puget Sound Business Journal
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Seattle Times
Landslide closes westbound Highway 18 near Auburn, but drier days are arriving for Seattle area
The IRS dropped ID.me’s facial recognition tech after backlash. WA is rolling it out in June
Should you unmask in WA? It may depend on where you live
In a blow to progressives, Douglas County court strikes down WA’s new capital-gains tax
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Skagit Valley Herald
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Sol De Yakima
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Spokesman Review
Spokane City Council commits $500,000 toward redeveloping former Hillyard library into a mental health clinic
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Tri-City Herald
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Walla Walla Union Bulletin
City manager granted sole authority to fire future Walla Walla fire or police chiefs
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Washington Post
Russia strikes key cities; Biden says Moscow ‘more isolated’ than ever
U.S. prepares to expand financial attack on Russian oligarchs, aiming to seize billions held by Putin allies
Assassination plot against Zelensky foiled and unit sent to kill him ‘destroyed,’ Ukraine says
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Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima Council keeps position open after committee recommends Kenton Gartrell
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Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
9 law enforcement agencies form task force to combat catalytic converter thefts
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KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
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KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Landslide near Auburn slams through retaining wall on Highway 18, westbound lanes closed
Biden promises to counter Russia, strengthen economy, move on from COVID
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State Department of Licensing site back online after data breach
Seattle City Council OKs hiring bonuses given to police, 911 workers in January
Local police departments start Catalytic Converter Task Force to curb sharp rise in thefts
KNKX Public Radio
Read President Biden’s full State of the Union remarks
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KUOW Public Radio
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KXLY (ABC)
‘Super excited’: Mom finds local support to re-enter workforce, says help is out there for others
WSU relaxing some indoor masking starting March 12
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Q13 TV (FOX)
State licensing website restored following data breach, months-long investigation
Web
Crosscut
Seattle’s eviction moratorium ended, but some protections remain
Rural WA nurses seek support for sexual assault examiner training
$340M WA immigrant relief fund plagued by monthslong delays (Rolfes, Ormsby)
WA capital gains tax ruled unconstitutional by trial judge (Jinkins)
MyNorthwest
Landslide blocks all westbound lanes of Highway 18 in Federal Way
Washington state’s capital gains tax unconstitutional, rules Douglas County Court
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King County officially ends COVID vaccine requirements for businesses
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Stevens Pass, Snoqualmie Pass reopen after early Monday closures
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The Stranger
Election Nerds Feud Over Whether or Not Approval Voting Violates Voting Rights
West Seattle Blog
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